Easy Beauty Habits For New Year
When we kissed 2004 goodbye last week, many of us made resolutions to break the bad habits we don't want to carry over to the New Year. And believe it or not, there are some new habits you may want to pick up this year.
Glamour Magazine Contributing Editor Andrea Pomerantz says there are a few beauty habits to learn that will keep you looking and feeling your best through 2005.
Wear sunscreen: "This is still the most effective anti-aging ingredient around," Pomerantz says. "Use a foundation or moisturizer that contains it so you don't even have to think about it. It's a no-brainer way to have better skin this year and in the future."
Products to try:
Take your makeup off at night, especially eye makeup: "Besides letting your skin breathe, removing makeup prevents breakouts and eye infections and gives you a fresher look each morning," Pomerantz says. "I take my eye makeup off with a little Johnson's baby shampoo on a cotton pad and remove the rest of my makeup with an Olay Cleansing Wipe. If you're really lazy or prone to skip this step, stash these wipes in your nightable."
Products to try:
Keep your nails in good shape: "When your nails are a mess, you feel like a mess," says Pomerantz. "And talk about extreme makeovers: Whether you get manicures or give them to yourself, a New Year's 'hand makeover' is just about the easiest way to instantly see a dramatic change and feel polished all over"
Products to try:
OPI Manicure Products: Four-step system bringing facial-quality ingredients to hands and nails:
Get or give yourself regular peels: "The new peel kits take the place of old-fashioned 'masks,' but they're more than just a relaxing treatment," Pomerantz says. "These peels give instant, professional-quality results in just ten minutes. They're so popular right now because they really work."
Products to try:
Use body lotion: "A huge percentage of women skip body lotion," Pomerantz says. "Eight percent of women have dry skin and only half of those women use a daily moisturizer. But winter is the most important time to moisturize -- especially after you shave. There's a new Olay product that works like hair conditioner: You put it on your body in the shower, then rinse it off. It's much less of a hassle than putting on moisturizer after you get out of the shower, and you get all the benefits of post-shower moisturizing from it."
Product to try:
Moisturize the spots you tend to forget: "Hands and lips get the most abuse, yet they're the most neglected body parts," says Pomerantz. "Along with your neck, they're the first place to show your age. Older women wished they had protected these body parts sooner, and the steps you take to take care of these areas aren't exhaustive. Apply face moisturizer right onto your lips when you apply it to your face, then rub any excess right into your hands. Or, if you're willing to do a little more, try one of the new products designed specifically for dry lips and hands."
Products to try:
Floss/pamper your teeth: "This is the most overlooked beauty habit," says Pomerantz. "A basic principal for proper oral hygiene is to floss your teeth daily, but most people don't do it. Get in the habit of flossing daily, and your teeth and gums will look and feel healthier for it." Once you get on the flossing track, try pampering your teeth a little more with some products that clean any excess tartar and plaque away, or try one of the high-powered teeth whiteners that are on the market now that will make your smile dazzling and leave you sighing a fresh breath of relief.
Products to try:
Deep treat your hair: "Go beyond instant conditioners and give yourself a weekly hair treatment that you put right on dirty, dry or wet hair," Pomerantz advises. "Leave in for half-an-hour or even sleep in it and wake up with prettier hair in the morning."
Products to try: